Damp shavings

[Schroeder]

I bought a bale of pine shavings from TSC. I got one under an overhang thinking that way it would not be wet. Even though there were no visable tears in the plastic, the shavings are very damp.

By the time I figured this out I already had the 1 week old chicks in temporary quarters and the brooder cleaned out. I used a hair dryer on the shavings for awhile, buy they still were damp. I put paper towels over part of the shavings so they at least would have a dry place to sleep. Should I be concerned?

 

[chilling in muscadine]

I beleive I would remove the damp shavings and just put the chicks on paper towels until I could get some dry shavings. I wouldn't want to take any chances.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I agree I wouldn't put any kind of baby to bed on damp bedding.

 

[cw]

i agree get the damp shavings out, they may devolop respitory problems, or chill and die

 

[Bwaaak!]

I had the exact same thing happen to me with my 3 day old chicks. Damp shavings can grow mold. Thats what mine did. I returned it, they were nice about exchanging it but I was still upset that I could have killed all my chicks.

 

[cw]

ya i was thinking mold just didnt type it

 

[Delta2 23]

I suggest you remove the shavings too or put some dry paper towels over them. I heard from somewhere that if the bedding is wet, it will grow a type of mould that is fatal to chicks and they will literally drop dead.

Good luck! I hope they will be fine

 

[Schroeder]

Okay, I went back to the paper towels until I can get dry shavings. Is it safe to spread out the damp shavings on newspapers and stir them occassionally until they dry, or should I toss them and start over?

 

[geareduplyn]

Get a bag of Pine Pellet horse bedding at TSC. Forget the shavings. These are always dry.

 

[Schroeder]

I saw the pine pellets the last time I was at TSC. I think a small bag was $6.50 which seemed high. It would cost a bundle to cover a horse stall. How thick a layer is needed in the brooder?